Phlebotomine sandflies can act as vectors for Leishmania spp., causing the different forms of human and canine leishmaniasis. However, the vector competence of Phlebotomus mascittii for Leishmania infantum was strongly suspected, but not proven under laboratory conditions until now. Recent sandfly records and autochthonous cases of leishmaniasis in Central Europe hint at spreading tendencies of these vectors to regions where they have not occurred so far. In a study published in this issue, the responses of five Phlebotomus spp. to future climate change are determined by combining climatic projections with species-specific dispersal ability.

AbstractChromatophoromas are tumours of pigment-producing cells of the skin and are rarely reported in reptiles. These tumours are subclassified on the basis of the type of pigment. The present study characterizes chromatophoromas arising in 26 reptiles, including six snakes, 19 lizards and a tortoise. These include the first reports of melanophoromas in a yellow anaconda (Eunectes notaeus), pigmy rattlesnake (Sistrurus spp.), southern water snake (Nerodia fasciata), veiled chameleon (Chamaeleo calyptratus) and leopard gecko (Eublepharis macularius); the first reports of benign iridophoromas in a savannah monitor (Varanus exanthematicus), veiled chameleon and bearded dragon (Pogona vitticeps); and the first description of a malignant iridophoroma in a bearded dragon. Additionally, in three bearded dragons a 'mucinous' type of melanophoroma is described for the first time. Chromatophoromas generally arose from the skin of the body and head and ranged in size from 0.2 to 2.0cm in diameter. In six cases the animals were humanely destroyed immediately after diagnosis. Three further animals were humanely destroyed following recurrence of their tumour. Six of these nine reptiles had visceral metastases. Grossly, melanophoromas (n=20) were grey or black, while iridophoromas (n=6) were white in colour. Microscopically, most of the tumours were composed of spindle cells with varying pigmentation and 0-2 mitoses per 10 high power fields. Six of the 20 melanophoromas were classified as malignant due to the presence of intravascular tumour cells, visceral metastases, high pleomorphism and/or mitotic figures. Five of the six iridophoromas were classified as benign and the one malignant tumour was defined by the presence of intravascular tumour cells and visceral metastases. Immunohistochemically, melan A and S100 were coexpressed by all of the hromatophoromas.

AbstractDuring an entomology survey in July 2009 and July 2010, 4 males and 22 females of Phlebotomus (Transphlebotomus) mascittii were caught in southeastern Carinthia. These are the first documented records of the occurrence of Phlebotominae in Austria.

AbstractCutaneous epitheliotropic T-cell lymphoma with liver metastasis was diagnosed in a 10-year-old eastern chipmunk (Tamias striatus). Physical findings included intracutaneous swellings, ulcerated plaques and nodules, hypotrichosis and erythema of the skin. Fine needle aspiration from the skin lesions showed a population of large lymphocytes and lymphoblasts, and was helpful in establishing the diagnosis antemortem. The post-mortem examination revealed epitheliotropic lymphoma with liver metastasis. Immunohistochemistry proved the T-cell origin both in the liver and skin tumours. Electron microscopy did not reveal any viral particles within the tumour. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first case of lymphoma described in this species.

2010

AbstractData on viral infections in apparently healthy snake collections in Germany were obtained with respect to husbandry conditions and health status. Samples from 100 boid snakes (from 14 collections) were examined microbiologically and for the presence of paramyxoviruses (PMVs) using RT-PCR. Blood was tested for the presence of antibodies against PMV, adenovirus and reovirus and for inclusion bodies indicative of inclusion body disease. Nine snakes tested positive for PMV, and inclusion bodies were detected in six snakes. Antibodies against PMV were found in one snake, and two snakes had antibodies against an adenovirus. A significant correlation was found between the origin of the snake and the presence of PMV, and between the presence of remarkable microbiological findings and husbandry conditions.

2009

AbstractGuinea pigs (Cavia porcellus) are often presented as patients in veterinary practice. Nevertheless, only limited information is available about endocrine diseases or thyroxine reference values for the species. Objective: The aim of this study was to determine serum thyroxine concentrations in a well-defined population of clinically healthy pet guinea pigs.

"Successful treatment of Dirofilaria repens infections in dogs with melarsomine(Immiticide®, Merial) against adults and a combination of moxidectin 2.5% /imidacloprid 10% (Advocate®, Bayer) against microfilaria"

AbstractDirofilaria repens occurs in Europe predominately in southern and south eastern countries. Transport of dogs from such endemic regions to areas free of D. repens bears the risk of introducing this zoonotic disease to non endemic areas. In this study 507 dogs transported from a Hungarian shelter to a shelter close to Cologne from August 2006-February 2009 were tested for presence of microfilaria (mf). 60 D. repens positive dogs were enrolled in a treatment program consisting of an adulticide treatment with melarsomine (Immiticide®, Merial, 2 injections 24 h apart), followed by a microfilaricidal treatment with monthly applications of moxidectin 2.5%/imidacloprid 10% (Advocate®, Bayer) at the standard dose over a period of three month. 36 dogs completed a surveillance period of 6 month following the treatment program. Macrofilaricidal treatment in dogs was tolerated well with few adverse reactions. Microfilaricidal treatment at monthly intervals did not show adverse reactions. All 36 dogs were screened for the presence of microfilaria, all but one stayed negative. It is known from D. immitis treatment, that melarsomine at the recommended dose will clear about 50-70% of the dogs from macrofilaria and is ineffective against L4 stages and early adult stages. This treatment protocol in conjunction with a follow up treatment of 3 monthly doses of moxidectin/imidacloprid is suitable to eliminate infections with D. repens almost completely and could be an important measure to avoid introduction of this zoonotic disease from endemic to non endemic areas.

AbstractIn this study the eyes of 15 cats in the terminal stage of FIV infection were examined. The findings were compared to those in cats, which were euthanized because of other infectious diseases or for non-infectious reasons. Thirteen FIV-infected cats showed an anterior uveitis by means of light microscopy. No accumulation of retinal lesions were found in FIV-infected cats compared to the other cats examined. Additionally, there were no indications of lesions caused by opportunistic infections. In the posterior segments of the eyes, immunohistochemical examinations proved the plasma proteins C3 and IgG to be predominantly intravascular. The eyes of 11 serologically FIV-positive cats were available for immunohistochemical examination. In all 11 cats at least one of the plasma proteins C3 or IgG could be detected in the extravascular tissue of the anterior uvea. The extravascular presence of plasma proteins within the tissue seemed to be caused by an increased permeability of the vessels due to inflammation. Furthermore, the similar extravascular distribution pattern of IgG and complement component C3 in four cases indicated that immune complexes may play a role in the anterior uveitis of FIV-infected cats.